“You sure do color good, bud.” I’m delighted that Cody’s talking to me more now. It took a while because even though I knew he liked me, he was a bit shy. “Is that Thomas?” This child is obsessed with trains.
“Yup!”
“Is that what you want for your birthday? A train theme?” Cody’s birthday is in a few weeks, and his dad kissed the hell out of me the other day when I told him I could plan Cody’s party for him.
I’m sure Cody hasn’t a clue what I’m talking about other than we’re discussing trains, which gets me a happy, drooly nod.
Hopefully, my sister will see what an outstanding job I can do with a two-year-old’s birthday party since I’m not allowed to plan her baby shower. Our cousin is coordinating it.Cousin!Where’s the loyalty? No wonder she didn’t want to talk about it or the fact it’s next weekend. Kat claims it’s because I’m already working so hard on Ethan’s ranch.Pfft.I might have to stick a red sock in her whites the next time I do her laundry.
I made one teeny mistake with those bachelorette gifts years ago and I’m still banned from coordinating the festivities. It’s not like I was planning to whip up a dildo cake or anything.Though that would be funny. We could celebrate the fertilization. My parents would die.I laugh to myself.
Kat doesn’t know it yet, but I am totally planning her kid’s first birthday party. It’ll be so much fun, her kid will be farting fairy dust by the end of it.
Mila holds out the small wire figure. “I’m ready for the next part.”
“Awesome. Now keep it still, okay? This is tricky, but I think you can handle it.” I stretch over to the end of the coffee table and retrieve the hot glue gun. “Careful, okay? I’ll put the glue on, but don’t touch it because it’s really hot.”
She gives me a serious nod, and I wait for her to settle the materials in front of me. Leaning forward, I lay down a strip of oozy clear gel. “This will be the prettiest doll ever.” She hands me the flower, and I adhere it to the wire frame, pinching it tight.
When she doesn’t chirp back with her usual enthusiasm, I nudge her with my elbow. “What’s going on in your big brain?” The kid’s obviously thinking really hard over there.
“Um. Nothing.” I wait her out. Finally, she sighs. “Just, I was wondering…” I give her an encouraging smile. Mila could ask me for almost anything, and I’d try to make it happen. “Could we maybe give this one to my mommy?”
“Of course.” I might have my differences with Allison, but I want Mila to feel loved and appreciated, and if that means playing nice with her mother, I’ll gladly do it, even if that woman makes me want to punch her in the throat sometimes. A lopsided grin spreads on her face, and I wrap her in a hug. “You’re the most thoughtful girl ever.”
“You’re the bestest babysitter ever.”
I smile, knowing she means that in the most complimentary way possible even though the word ‘babysitter’ feels as good as rolling around in a bed of pinecones.
Because it’s so transitory. Temporary. Babysitters come and go, and I hope I end up meaning more to these kids than a blurry memory from when they were young.
Ugh, I must be PMSing.Take a chill pill, Tori.
My cell buzzes on the table. Vivian’s name pops up, and I send it to voice mail.
“Aren’t you gonna answer?” Mila scrunches her brows.
“Nah. I’ll call her back tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to give you and Cody all of my attention during the day.” I boink her on her nose, expecting a laugh but getting a sigh instead.
“Mommy talks on the phone. Like all weekend.”
Ah, my little tattletale. “Maybe they’re important calls? Like to your grandparents?”Who I’ve heard are assholes, but again, not my business.
That gets me a shrug.
My phone buzzes with a text message from Viv.Call me back asap!
Six texts later, including one that screams,911! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU NOW,I finally give in.
“It’s about fucking time,” she yells into the phone.
“Dude, I’m working. I can’t talk. Are you dead or dying or in danger of dying? Is this a legit emergency?”
“Yes, it’s a love life emergency.”
